Adjustable connector for sliding members and the like



April 6, 1948. J. D. CONEY 2,439,073

ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR FOR SLIDING MEMBERS AND THE LIKE FiledJ an. 5, 1946 i INVENTOR. JAMES 0.0

ATTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 6, 1948 ADJUSTABIJE CONNECTQBYFOB SLIDING 'MEMBERS AND'EHIE'LIKE James :D. Goney, Chicago, 1111., assignor to Carl B. Albert, Sullivan, i

Alp plica tion January 5, 1946, SefialNo. 639,251

This invention relates to garment frames and more particularly improved adjustable suppor12- Zing, blocking and drying devices for knit and other garments and accessories such as sweaters, skirts, trousers, gloves, stockings, and theilike, although the teachings thereof may be employed equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of inexpensive garment frames having improved simplified means .for rendering such adjustable and maintaining the elements thereof in adjusted relation to thedesired size and shape of the garments to be supported, blocked or dried thereon.

These garments are normally of varied style and size to conform with the dimensionandshape characteristics of different individuals. 1 To this end, the frame is adjustable to d iffierent shapes and sizes to conform with the initial shape and size of the garment. The adjustable characteristics conform with specifically Shaped and sized- .garments in order tosupport, block and dry such to assume their initial size and shape.

Numerous types of adjustable garment frames have heretofore been proposed'but these have proven comparatively expensive and are not available for general distribution through low priced chain stores such as the doliar stores, cleaning establishments, laundriesandaflso other service institutions where the garment support or blocker should comprises. component element of the garment after being cleaned or laundered and prior to the actual use thereof. This does not necessarilymeau that garment frames embodying the features of the present invention need be distributed by. such institutions with the garment, but the cost thereof will be minimized to the extent of enabling the general adaptation thereofby lowipriced chain stores and service institutions such as cleaning establishments and laundries to provide such .at .a comparatively small expense to warrant their general adopfion and insure the proper shape and storage of the garment until actually Worn.

The present invention embodies adjustable and self-expanding efeatures 'whichwd-o not involve such production operations that would impair the non-corroziing finish with which the-initial Wire may. be treated. In consequence thereof, garment hangersem-bodying the features of the present invention may beformed from standard galvanized or electro-plated Wire, preferably though not essentially, number eleven gauge which is comparatively light, inexpensive, and

suitable for garment blockers utilizable for service institutions and low priced variety store distribution.

8 Claims. (01. 223-169) 01m object :o'f the present invention is to providezan improved adjustable garment frame such as a skirt hanger or blocker and simple and in.- expensiveconstruction.

Another object 118 to provide a garment frame having the rcomponemt elements thereof adjust.- .able to meet different styled and :sized garment characteristics.

Still another object is :to provide garment frames possessing improved, simple and :in'expensive size adjusting expedients to conform to dififierent sizes, styles :and shapesn'f garments and accessories.

A iurt-her rohseetlis to provide adjustable :garmerit :frames that :can be shaped galvanized or other Inon-cornodi-ng wire preferably without produdtion impai-mnent to thefinish thereon.

.A still .further object 'is to provide adjustable garment ifirarnes having improved locking expedients entirely shaped item wire without requiring anything other than wire working operations.

.Stili a further object is to provide inexpensive adjustable and more :eitedtive garment frames embodying wire elements throughout and affording reflective adjustment in size and shape.

Other :obn' acts and advantages will appear from the toll-owing description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

EBm the drawings:

Figure 1 is :a front view in elevation of a skirt support hanger embodying the features of the present invention, a portion of the skirt being shown in dotted outline ':to illustrate the manner of waist support thereof.

Eignre 2 is a frontv'iew in elevation of an adjustaflole garment .lorm or drier possessing looking ex-pedients embodying features of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view in elevation taken substantially :aion-g line 111-411 of Figures 1 and 2. with the adjustable locking expedient shown in its operative position to maintain the adiiaeent'extensihle members against relative displacement.

Figure '4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view in elevation similar to Figure 3 the locking expedient shown in inoperative position permitting relative displacement of =adacent slidable members.

Figure 6 is a sectional -view in elevation of a modified locking expedient taken substantially along i-ines VIE-471 of Eigure'Z.

'The structur e rsel'eetedfor illustration is not intended to serveas a limitation upon the scope or teachings of the inventiombut is merely illusor thereover for support or blocking or drying operations. In the present embodiment, the relatively sliding overlapping wires II-I2 comprise part of a skirt hanger wherein the overlapping wires .I I--I2 are spaced from and guided relatively to each other by members of a plurality of convolutions I3-I4 bent or otherwise wound as an integral terminal extension of the angularly offset free extremities I5I6 of the wires II--I2 which are preferably though not essentially aligned in a vertical plane.

The length of the angular offsets -46 of the overlapping wires II--I2 will determine the extent of their parallel-spacing which may vary within the dictates of commercial practice. It should be observed that the convolutions I3-I4 at the ends of the wire offsets I5-I6 define eyelets enveloping the adjacent wires I2I I, respectively, which loosely slide therethrough for guiding the extensible parallel displacement thereof.

The convolutions l3l4 may be of any linear extent depending upon the number of convolutions employed to satisfactorily maintain the wires I I I 2 in parallel spaced relation. The convolutions I3I4 are preferably though not essentially formed around the other Wire guided therethrough by utilizing the latter as a mandrel to accomplish their inter-coupling for maintaining them in guided spaced parallelism for relative displacement. However, one or the other of the eyelet defining convolutions I3--I4 may be formed prior to insertion of the other Wire by bending the latter into the desired shape after inter-coupling of the parallel wires is eifected.

In the present instance, the adjacent overlapping and relatively sliding wires I II2 terminate in inwardly confronting open loops II--I8 which merge in reversely extending open loops Iiithat terminate in divergent arms 2I 22. The divergent arms 2I22 serve, in this instance, to engage the waist portion 23 of the skirt 24 after the wires III2 have been relatively displaced to tightly fit therein for effecting the proper support thereof. The divergent garment supporting arms 2I-22 terminate, in this instance, in in wardly curved fingers 2526 which preclude any possibility of snagging or otherwise injuring the garment23-24.

After the adjacent relatively extensible wires II-l2 have been adjusted to assume the proper spread of the divergent arms 2 I -22 that are disposed inwardly of the garment waist 23, they are locked in adjusted position by means of suitable locking expedients. The 7 locking expedient or expedients comprise, in this instnce, a frictional clip 21, which embodies a plurality of convolutions defining a guiding eyelet 28 that loosely envelops one of the wires I 0-I I, in this instance the upper wire II, for free rotation and axial linear displacement th'erealong to preferzably assume a central position between the relatively extensible wires "-12. The convolutiondeflning eyelet 28 merges into a straight short arm 29 that is somewhat shorter than the overall distance between the extreme edges of the wires III2 to effect the grasp thereof for slidably flexing toward each other. To this end, the straight arm 29 terminates in a curve or fillet 33 from which an inclined wire arm 3| extends to define an acute angle with the wire 29.

The inclined arm 3| is somewhat longer than the arm 29 and terminates in a curved fillet 32 that is aligned with the convolution defining eyelet 28 to form a triangular wire member relative thereto between the arms 29-3I. The fillet 32 terminates in an .arm 33 which extends toward and proximate to the eyelet 28 to terminate in a fillet 34 oppositely curved to the fillet 32. The fillet 34 terminates in a wire shank 35 serving as an actuator lever to pivot the clip 21 about the eyelet 28 which utilizes one of the parallel spaced wires II-I2, in this instance the upper wire II, as a pivot. In the preferred embodiment, the lever shank 35 terminates in a hook 36 which serves to support the frame III on a, rod with which a garment closet is usually fitted.

' In the modified embodiment of the clip 21' (Figure 6), the lever actuator arm 35' terminates in an eyelet 36' which merely serves as a finger grasping medium to flip the clip 21' in one or the other of two positions, namely, operative friction grasping position of the adjacent parallel wire (Figures 3 and 6) or in an inoperative position permitting the other adjacent wire to be free therefrom (Figure 5) to permit relative sliding movement of the wires III2. It will be observed, therefore, that the clip 21 or 27 can be flipped for pivoting about the wire II to engage the adjacent wire I2 by sliding over the contacting surface of the arm 3| until the fillet 30 thereof engages therewith to flex the wires I II 2 toward each other and, thus, hold them in frictional connection in conjunction with the guide eyelets I3--I4 against relatively sliding movement. With this arrangement, the relatively sliding adjacent Wires III2 can be maintained for free relative adjustment or retained in adjusted fixed relation against relative extension by merely flipping the clips 21 or 21' in one of two of its positions.

The comparatively simple, inexpensive and effective clips 21 or 21 or both may be utilized in conjunction with suitable wire guiding loops such as the eyelets I3-I4 to maintain two adjacent parallel and relatively extensible wires in any adjusted position irrespective of the use to which the adjacent wires such as the wires I I-I 2 are put. Accordingly, in the modified embodiment, the teachings of the present invention are embodied in conjunction with a garment frame such as a sweater blocker or drier II) (Figure 2) shaped to assume any desired configuration and composed of wires II'I2' having overlapping parallel adjacent extensions I I"-I 2" at the overlapping extremities of the frame elements I I'I 2' and intermediate the length thereof for bracing, should commercial practice so dictate.

In the garment frame III, there are three sets of overlapping adjacent wires II"I2"; however, the number may vary within a wide range depending upon the size, shape and purpose for which the garment frame III or I 0' is designed or utilized. In this embodiment, however, the overlapping wires II"I2" are provided with guide eyelets I3"I4" to guide the frame elements II'-I2' toward and away from each'other to adjust the size of the garment frame III which in this embodiment happens to be a sweater blocker or drier. A clip 21 fitted with a supporting hook 36 is operatively associated with the top overlapping wires ll"-l2" to accomplish the same purpose intended and set forth in connection with the garment frame or skirt hanger ll] described supra.

The intermediate and lowermost set of overlapping wires H"-l2 are provided with clips 21' of the type illustrated and described in connection With Figure 6, and these collectively serve to permit the adjustment of the frame elements |Il2 and to secure them in any desired eX- tensible relation within the limits of the wires I l"--l2" disposed between the eyelets l3"-l4". This affords an effective, simple and inexpensive connector for adjustable frames or sliding members comprising part of hangers or garment forms depending upon the use for which they are intended.

The garment form it has suitable arm defining elements 2i--22' which are detachably associated with the upper regions of the garment form Ill to size and block the sleeves of a sweater of other garment. These are detachably associated with the garment form if! by providing the upper arm extremities with open loops 23'- 24', and the bottom arm extremities thereof with oifsets fitted into loop straps 2528 preferably though not essentially fixed to the frame elements ll-l2'.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it must be understood that the invention is capable of considerable variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire members, spaced means for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and other means rotative1y interposed between said spaced guiding means to transversely flex said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

2. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire mem bers, spaced means for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and transverse camming means rotatively interposed between said spaced guiding means to frictionally hold said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

3. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent wire members, means for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and other means pivotally mounted for movement transversely of said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

4. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent wire members, spaced means for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and other means pivotally mounted on one of said wire members for movement transversely of the other adjacent wire member for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

5. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire members, spaced means for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and other means pivotally mounted on one of said wire members for movement transversely of the other adjacent wire member, said last named means serving to distort the parallelism of said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

6. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire members, each of said slidable adjacent wire members having eyelets at their free extremities for receiving the other adjacent wire member for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, and other means pivotally mounted for movement transversely of said adjacent wire members between said eyelets to distort the parallelism of said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidable displacement.

'7. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire members, each of said slidable adjacent wire mem-- bers having integral eyelets at their free extremities for receiving the other adjacent wire member for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, a wire lever having an eyelet at one end for pivotal mounting on one of said adjacent wires between said guiding end eyelets thereon, and an angular extension in said lever for sliding contact with the other of said adjacent wires to flex said adjacent wires pivotally mounted for movement transversely of said adjacent wire members between said eyelets to distort the parallelism of said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent wire members against relative slidalbe displacement.

8. In an adjustable garment frame including relatively slidable adjacent parallel wire members, each of said slidable adjacent wire members having integral eyelets at their free extremities for receiving the other adjacent wire memer for slidably guiding said adjacent wire members, a wire lever having an integral eyelet at one end for pivotal mounting on one of said adjacent wires between said guiding end eyelets thereon, and an angular extension in said lever for transverse sliding contact with the other of said adjacent wires to flex said adjacent wires pivotally mounted for movement transversely of said adjacent wire members between said eyelets to distort the parallelism of said adjacent wire members for frictionally holding said adjacent Wire members against relative slidable displace ment.

JAMES D. CONEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

